Educational Media Reviews Online

Understanding the many dimensions of Islam is crucial for both non-Muslims and Muslims alike. In current times many audiences are confused about what religion is, much less what a particular religion and faith means for those who practice it. Our many nationalities and social groups need more opportunities to listen to the perspectives of diverse ways and cultures. Veiled Voices is one extremely well done and tasteful attempt by the Director Brigid Maher to present both a structural and individual understanding of the positive roles of women in the Islamic faith. This film draws the viewer into the lives of three Muslim women as they practice what it is to be Muslim and allows us to explore firsthand how they view and portray their lives lived by showing their faith. The film portrays the role of women in Islam and attributes a revived sense of female role models in Islam as teachers, Imam’s and advisors. While we are not presented with the opposite argument that may be imagined the film does portray three very different, yet similar women and invites us to understand their roles in society, community, and Islam. Unfortunately, the three locales for the filming are limited to Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt. Perhaps this will be widened by a later documentary exploring the lives of women in other regions such as Pakistan, Iran, Iraq or the UAE.

Each of the three women express an underlying desire to seek to elevate human minds for God, while promoting social and Islamic rights of women. Each must be admired as we examine their public and private moments in living their religion not as tradition but as an understanding and seeking of knowledge of and for God.

The documentary is inspiring and you should visit the website for Veiled Voices for the downloadable Viewing Guide. This guide will provide you background questions to consider and evaluate, and better understanding for later discussion. Follow the website link For Educators and you will find lesson plans, related links and media involving Islam and the roles played by women in various movements within Islam.

A separate website is maintained through both veiledvoices.com and through the American distributor. For further dialogue and discussion visit the Facebook and Twitter sites for Veiled Voices. For additional discussion and comparison view the five short videos entitled Sheikha Stories. Each video gives insight into one woman’s life. Total run time for all five videos is 36 minutes.